IPAN World IP Day 2018

Global Britain: Great for IP, Great for Britain

This year our World IP Day event celebrated 25 years of IPAN. We heard from a fantastic line up of speakers, discussing the importance of intellectual property, and considering the future of IP in Britain beyond Brexit.

Welcome and Opening

The event was hosted by Pete Wishart MP (Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for IP), who opened the evening’s activities, reminding us to acknowledge our success and challenges in the UK IP framework.

IPAN Chair John Ogier then welcomed attendees to the event, which also celebrated 25 years of IPAN. Setting the tone for the evening, John quoted Albert Einstein: “We cannot solve the problems we have by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.”

Debbie Bestwick MBE – CEO Team17

Debbie gave us her own perspective on what makes for success in entrepreneurial business and the role IP has in this. She highlighted how the UK has contributed to the worlds most recognised games and the importance of IP in her own success.

“A game is built on a conceptual idea and it’s realised via a blend of science and art…Without retaining our IP’s Team17 would not be the company flying a British flag for our Industry on an International level as we do today.”

Debbie Bestwick

Sam Gyimah MP – Minister for IP

During his speech at the IPAN World IP Day event, Sam announced the UK ratificaiton of the Unified Patent Court Agreement. He also spoke about the opportunities for trade and growth, with particular reference to the Government’s IP industrial strategy, now and after the UK leaves the EU.

“…to provide further certatntly and clarity in our preparations to leave the EU…One of those opportunities is to make sure we continue to strengthen and develop the international IP Framework, and today I am please to confirm that the UK has ratified the Unified Patent Court Agreement, and look forward to bringing the court into being.”
Sam Gyimah

Tim Moss CBE – Chief Executive and Comptroller General, UK IPO

Tim is talked about the UK intellectual property offer in World Trade Opportunities.

“What we are about is helping the UK become the most innovative and creative country in the world, and IP absolutely supports that.”
Tim Moss

Allie Renison – Head of Europe and Trade Policy, Institute of Directors

Allie talked about industry and trade from BREXIT and beyond, with particular reference to industrial and commercial opportunities for IP rich businesses.

“I’m really looking forward to how IP is going to feature, through a merium of different chanels, in terms of how the UK decides what global Britain really means.”
Allie Renison

Chris Warkup – CEO Knowledge Transfer Network, Innovate UK

Chris spoke about how we can encourage, engage and fund start-ups for world leading innovation and the role of intellectual property in this process.

“It’s important that Universities are incentivised to recognise and protect valuable IP… and facilitate its exploitation for economic and social benefits.”
Chris Warkup